Introduction

I have written this study guide for students taking GCE Advanced level (AS and A2) courses in English
literature, and other comparable literature courses. It is suitable for undergraduates and the general
reader who is interested in the study of poetry. It can be used as a way in to the study of the first two
books of Paradise Lost generally.

Books 1

Book 1 breaks down naturally into six sections:

Invocation and introduction of poem's theme

An account of Satan's revolt and expulsion from Heaven

Dialogue between Satan and Beelzebub

The other devils' rallying around Satan - the demonic host listed

Satan's speech to the legions (about the creation of man)

The building of Pandemonium (inspired by Mammon)

Book 1

Invocation and introduction of theme (1-26)

It is characteristic of a classical epic that the poet invokes the aid of his patron muse. Milton marries his
Christian theme and neo-classical method by invoking, as his muse, the Holy Spirit, third Person of the
Trinity. This section is a prayer, in which Milton states his subject, and asks for divine assistance in giving
voice to it. Milton states that his purpose is to:

Assert.eternal.providence
And justify the ways of God to men.

Note that this section contains only two sentences. The main verb, in the first, is the thirty-ninth word in
the sentence. The various indirect objects of the verb sing reflect the magnitude of the poem's subject
and its author's task: disobedience...Deathwoe...loss of Eden...one greater Man.

Satan's speech to Beelzebub (84-127)

Satan acknowledges how utterly his confederate, Beelzebub, has been changed, for the worse, by the
devils' defeat, but stresses fact that they are still united in their fall. He recognises God's superior
strength, but points out that he now knows the extent of God's power, previously unknown because
untried. Despite the change they have outwardly undergone, Satan stresses the unchanged nature of his
attitude to God's Son, the potent Victor. All is not lost because Satan will never submit freely to God's
authority. Satan suggests that God's rule was endangered by his revolt, that he will never sink to the
indignity of asking forgiveness, and outlines his intention of conducting further warfare against God.
Satan's speech smacks of wishful thinking; he speaks boastfully, but at the same time tortured by pain
and profound despair.